Indianapolis Council Sets Hearing for September 22 on $1 Billion Google Data Center Rezoning

The Indianapolis City-County Council is set to hold a hearing on September 22 for a $1 billion Google data center in Franklin Township, which could impact the local community and economy.

All 24 councilors backed a proposal from Councilman Michael-Paul Hart to give the proposal a full public hearing ahead of a final vote by the council. The project has drawn opposition from residents and some council members over concerns about economic benefits, quality of life impacts, and strain on utilities and water.

Meredith Sharp, a Warren Township resident, expressed concern that the data center would impact homes relying on well water. "It is going to suck all of the water out of the ground, and I'm not going to have clean drinking water for my family and my community."

Hart said Google confirmed that the data center once completed would require 1 million gallons of water per building per day, which could strain local water resources. City-County Councilor Ron Gibson, a Democrat, however, was assured by Citizens Energy Group that they would source water from the White River, which wouldn't impact wells.

Gibson believes that the project's economic benefits will change minds among council members by the time of the September 22 vote. He pointed out that the current parcel generates around $40,000 in tax revenue, but once developed by Google, it would generate some $10.5 million in tax revenue.

However, Hart doubts the economic benefit, citing Indiana law that provides up to 50 years of tax breaks for data centers and permanent job creation that falls short of smaller developments.

Hart called the economic deal "terrible" and said it would result in no tax base, no jobs, and a hardened burden on the community. Citizens Energy Group has plans to expand its water system capacity from 256 million gallons per day to 300 million gallons, but did not confirm whether Google would draw from the White River.